FREEPORT, TX (May 12, 2026) – On Saturday, May 9, 2026, Port Freeport proudly hosted the 26th Annual Take-A-Child Fishing Tournament (TACFT) at Freeport Municipal Park, continuing a long-standing tradition of community engagement while providing youth with hands-on outdoor experiences that foster an appreciation for the natural resources and coastal environment of the Texas Gulf Coast.
“On behalf of the Port Commission, I would like to express our sincere appreciation to our sponsors and volunteers whose continued support makes this event possible each year,” said Port Commission Chairman Rob Giesecke. “This tournament is a reflection of what can be accomplished when a community comes together to invest in its youth and create meaningful experiences for local families.”
The event welcomed 395 young anglers from Brazoria County and surrounding communities. With families, volunteers, and community members in attendance, total participation reached nearly 900 individuals. As part of the entry process, attendees donated 824 pounds of canned goods to benefit the Brazoria County Dream Center, further extending the event’s impact beyond the shoreline.
Children competed in two age categories: Blue Fins (ages 3–8) and Yellow Fins (ages 9–14), with first, second, and third-place winners recognized in each division. Winners received trophies and prizes, including laptops, Visa gift cards, and backpacks, and every registered child received a commemorative T-shirt and backpack filled with items. More than 200 door prizes were also awarded throughout the event.
This year’s anglers brought in a total of 685 fish during the official weigh-in. Port Freeport congratulates the following winners:
Blue Fins Category (Ages 3-8): First Place – Lane Sorrell, Second Place – Melanie Gonzalez, Third Place – Barrett Vaughn
Yellow Fins Category (Ages 9-14): First Place – Gabriel Hlavinka, Second Place – Cortni Price, Third Place – Jesse Soria
“The Take-A-Child Fishing Tournament continues to be one of the most meaningful ways we connect with our community,” said Phyllis Saathoff, Executive Director/CEO of Port Freeport. “Because of our sponsors and volunteers, we are able to provide a day where families come together, children experience the outdoors, and lasting memories are created. That impact is what makes this event so special year after year.”
Special guests included numerous sponsors and community partners who supported event operations and activities throughout the day. Highlights included appearances by community mascots, interactive booths, face painting, and family-friendly activities. The United States Coast Guard provided water safety resources, while local partners offered refreshments, giveaways, and educational information for attendees.
Port Freeport extends its sincere appreciation to the sponsors whose generous contributions made the 26th Annual TACFT possible:
Platinum Sponsors – Freeport LNG | GHD Services, Inc | ILA Local 30 | McCarthy Building Companies, Inc. | Moffatt & Nichol | Ports America, Inc. | Riviana | South Atlantic & Gulf Coast District ILA | Vulcan Materials Company;
Gold Sponsors – Bay - Houston Towing Co. | Brazos Pilots Association | Dole Fresh Fruit Company | Enstructure | ILA Local 1817 | Promotions Unlimited | Sunstates Security LLC;
Silver Sponsors - Amports | BASF | Bracewell, LLP | BTEL | Doyle & Wachtstetter, Inc. | Freeport Mooring & Marine, Inc. | G & H Towing Co. | Gulf Stevedoring Services | Gulf Stream Marine | Images Media Productions | J&S Contractors, Inc. | Kirby Inland Marine | LJA Surveying | Mejia Industrial Supply Company | Rail Link | Tenaris | TJ's Lube Stop | Toroz Logistics, LLC | Union Pacific Railroad | Weighing Technologies, Inc.;
Event Sponsors - Blueline Print Shop | Brazoria County Parks Department | Brazoria County Septic Service | Bridge Harbor Yacht Club | Captain Mark's Seafood and Marina | Carolina Damian, Realtor eXp Realty | Chiquita | First State Bank | Freeport Historical Museum | Freese and Nichols, Inc. | Grimaldi Lines | Gulf Coast Engraving | Gulftex Vending & Coffee Services, Inc. | Höegh Autoliners | Kendralyn Design Co. | KM&L, LLC | Lucy's Party Decorations & Alterations | Masterson Advisors, LLC | On The River Restaurant | Port Freeport Commissioner Dan Croft | Port Freeport Commissioner Barbara Fratila & Nick Fratila | Port Freeport Commissioner Rob Giesecke | Port Freeport Commissioner Kim Kincannon | Port Freeport Commissioner Ravi Singhania | Rooster's Crow Guide Service | Rubb N Grubb | Southern Cool Shaved Ice | Superior Fabrication & Maintenance, Inc. | Swamp Shack | Texas Port Ministry | The Brevard Company | Vernor Material & Equipment
Looking ahead, Port Freeport remains committed to supporting the communities it serves through events that promote family engagement, youth development, and community connection.
Mark your calendars: The 27th Annual Take-A-Child Fishing Tournament will be held on Saturday, May 8, 2027, at Freeport Municipal Park from 8 AM to 12 PM.
Port Freeport is a leading port in the export of crude oil and natural gas liquids and ranks 6th nationally in chemicals, 13th in total foreign waterborne tonnage, and 4th in the State of Texas by the same measure. A 2022 Economic Impact Study by Texas A&M Transportation Institute revealed that, nationally, the Freeport Harbor Channel generates 266,300 jobs and has a total economic output of $157.3 billion.  Port Freeport serves Alliera, Atlantic Container Lines, AMPORTS, BASF, Chiquita Fresh N.A., Dole Fresh Fruit, The Dow Chemical Company, Enterprise Products Partners, ExxonMobil, Freeport LNG, Fresh Del Monte Produce Inc., Ford Motor Company, General Motors, Glovis, Grimaldi Lines, Hoegh Autoliners, Kirby Marine, Liberty Global Logistics, Linde, MEGlobal, NYK RORO, Phillips 66, Riviana Foods, Inc., Sallaum Lines, Tenaris, U.S Department of Energy, Volkswagen Group of America, and Vulcan Materials Company.
Port Freeport is committed to keeping the local community informed of our operation and results. If you have questions or comments about this article, please email or call Amanda Veliz, Public Affairs Manager.